Delegate Wayne Norman to Introduce Tough New Hit-and-Run Legislation

Harford County Delegate Wayne Norman (District 35-A) announced today that he will introduce legislation to update and strengthen Maryland’s motor vehicle laws with respect to hit-and-run driving offenses.

The legislation, which will be formally introduced when the General Assembly reconvenes in January, will significantly increase the criminal and administrative penalties for drivers who leave accident scenes without stopping or rendering aid.

Delegate Norman’s effort to crack down on hit-and-run offenses is in response to last week’s deadly crash in Bel Air, caused by a driver who only hours before his Bel Air crash was cited by police for leaving the scene of a serious accident in Joppa. In the Joppa accident, the driver allegedly crossed the center line and hit an oncoming car carrying several children. The children were later taken to the hospital for medical evaluation. As reported in the media, the driver responsible for both accidents has a lengthily record littered with various driving and criminal offenses.

“Clearly, this driver had no business being behind the wheel following his hit-and-run offense in Joppa,” said Delegate Norman. “However, after examining Maryland’s Motor Vehicle Law, I now realize how relatively weak the current law is when it comes to most hit-and-run offenses. The law needs to be strengthened to reflect the seriousness and coldness of a driver who leaves the scene of an accident without assisting the victim or reporting the accident.”

Under Delegate Norman’s bill, hit-and-run situations that involve children or result in significant damage to a vehicle or other property will now be treated as a much more serious offense than under current law, subjecting the offender to fines and imprisonment six-times greater than the maximum penalty allowed today. The penalties for most other hit-and-run offenses will be increased, as well.

“Today, only hit-and-run violations that result in death or a serious physical injury subject an offender to tough repercussions,” Delegate Norman said. “That has to change.”

In addition to increasing both the minimum and maximum prison sentences for serious hit-and-run offenses, the legislation would increase the administrative penalties for drivers who leave an accident scene without stopping or rendering aid.

Under the legislation, leaving the scene of an accident without stopping or rendering aid will result in the immediate suspension of the offender’s driver’s license in situations when the accident results in death, bodily harm, or significant vehicular or other property damage. Moreover, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration will be required to further suspend or completely revoke the offender’s driver’s license following conviction, depending on the severity of the accident and the offender’s past driving record.

Delegate Norman, a Republican, stated that it his intention to introduce a bi-partisan bill that will include several Democratic and Republican co-sponsors.

Delegate Norman was one of several Harford County public officials who wrote to the Governor and Maryland Transportation Secretary John Porcari requesting the construction of a barrier wall along a dangerous stretch of the U.S. Rt. 1 Bypass in Bel Air, the site of the horrendous accident that took the lives of a young mother and her son.

Driver In Fatal Bel Air Bypass Crash Arrested And Charged With Vehicular Manslaughter

MARYLAND STATE POLICE ARREST MAN INVOLVED IN TWO HARFORD COUNTY CRASHES

(Bel Air, MD) – This evening the Maryland State Police have arrested the motorist involved in two Harford County crashes which occurred on Friday, November 7, 2008.

The accused is Christopher H. Lentz, 37, of the 5600-block of Bell Gwynn Road in Glen Arm, Maryland. He is charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter for the crash that occurred at about 5:00 p.m. on Friday which killed two people. These charges can result in a $5000 fine and/or ten years in prison. Additional charges are pending.

Lentz was arrested by Maryland State Police from the Bel Air Barrack at his home at approximately
5:00 p.m. this evening. He was taken to the barracks for processing and then transported to the Harford County central booking center to await an initial appearance before a court commissioner.

September 11th Flag-Waving Tribute Returns to Mountain Road Overpass

Delegate Pat McDonough and Delegate Rick Impallaria, along with volunteer firefighters and community groups, will host a flag-waving remembrance tribute to the victims and families of 911. This is the 7th Anniversary of that tragic day in New York City.

The annual event is open to the public and will take place on the Route 152 overpass at Interstate 95. There will be plenty of free parking at the Park and Ride on Mountain Road (Route 152). Continue reading September 11th Flag-Waving Tribute Returns to Mountain Road Overpass

Party in Joppa Ends in Homicide

From a Harford County Sheriff’s Office news release:

(Joppa, MD – July 14, 2008) Harford County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the shooting of a twenty-two year Edgewood man that attended a private event at the Joppa Magnolia Fire Hall. This is Harford County’s Sheriff’s Office second homicide of 2008.

At approximately 11:45pm, a 911 call was placed that someone had been shot at a party that was taking place in the Joppa/Magnolia Fire Hall located in the 1400 block of Mountain Road. Harford County Sheriff’s deputies responded to find a crowd of people gathered inside and outside of the building. The victim, Tariq S Alston, 22 of Edgewood was located shot inside of the building. Treated on the scene by paramedics from Joppa/ Magnolia Fire Company, he was transported by Fallston Ambulance Corp to Upper Chesapeake Medical Center with life threatening injuries. He was pronounced dead shortly before 12:30am.

Deputies have been conducting interviews on site with the event attendees. Motive is unknown at this time as the investigation continues. Anyone with information regarding the shooting is urged to contact the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division at 410-836-5080.

Additionally Harford County Crime Solvers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the shooting. To be eligible for the reward, tipsters must call the 24-hour tip-line at 1-888-540-TIPS. Callers do not have to give their name nor appear in court. All information will be kept strictly confidential.

Rough Road To Becoming A Pro For Mountain Branch Golfer

Damon Klepczynski (DK) grew up an athlete. He was into soccer, basketball and baseball. Golf just wasn’t his thing. He worked on a golf course, never picking up a nine iron. On a family vacation to Myrtle Beach he and his father went golfing, and what did he do? Enjoyed the golf cart.

It wasn’t until his senior year in high school when he picked up a club after his buddy Jim challenged him to a game.

“He couldn’t beat me at anything,” DK said bluntly. That day Jim had his game on and he beat DK. And it’s been history ever since.

That doesn’t seem like the typical path of a PGA member and a Teaching Professional. “It’s a funny story,” DK chuckled. Continue reading Rough Road To Becoming A Pro For Mountain Branch Golfer

Del. McDonough: “Putting People First” Takes a Different Type of Elected Official

Although most people believe that politicians are all the same, my experience has been that this assumption is far from the truth.  I believe that many elected officials have different approaches to the way they represent the people.  During my three terms in public office, I have always had one guiding principle that was based on the belief that the people elected me to do a job.  They are the bosses and their interests are the only priority that I have.  My legislative agenda reflects that commitment.

My crime victim legislation agenda included Jessica’s Law Part II - Truth in Sentencing.  This bill was created to eliminate good time credits and early release for certain types of criminals. Two other public safety measures — the Witness Protection Act and a victim protection act — would also eliminate good time early release credits for any offender who intimidates or attempts to harm a witness in any way.  These proposals would mandate capital punishment for a perpetrator who murders a witness.  All three of these bills place public safety and crime victims first. Continue reading Del. McDonough: “Putting People First” Takes a Different Type of Elected Official

Del. Jennings: In-State Tuition for Illegal Immigration and the Harm It Creates to Maryland

Dear Editor,

Last Tuesday, I was sitting at my desk in the House Ways and Means committee hearing room watching and listening. The hearing room was crowded with people spanning from special interests organizations, to lawmakers, to citizens, statewide, all present for a single purpose - House Bill 1236.

As many already know, but for those who do not, House Bill 1236, entitled Higher Education - Tuition Charges - Maryland High School Students would establish that illegal aliens shall be exempt from paying nonresident tuition at public institutions of higher education in the State of Maryland. The bill would take effect July 1, 2008, and require the governing board of each public institution of higher education to adopt policies to implement this bill.

Although the language specifically contained within the bill defines “specific individuals” as “individuals, other than a student within the meaning of Title 8, § 1101 (A) (15) of the United States Code”, it does not clearly articulate who these “specific individuals” are. In the most, simplest terms; the most basic definition, they are “illegal aliens”.
Continue reading Del. Jennings: In-State Tuition for Illegal Immigration and the Harm It Creates to Maryland

District 7 Dominoes: Baltimore/Harford Delegates Line Up for a Probable Political Promotion

One is too young and inexperienced. Another is too cantankerous and controversial. And the third says he doesn’t even want the job. But odds are, when Republican Andy Harris is elected to Congress this November, one of the three District 7 delegates will move up to fill his seat representing Baltimore and Harford counties in the state senate.

Harris’ surprising upset of nine-term incumbent Wayne Gilchrest in the Republican Primary Election a few weeks ago placed the state senator as the favorite to take over the First District Congressional seat - leaving a prized piece of political real estate vacant and ready for occupancy.

Tradition and law make it exceedingly likely the next Baltimore/Harford state senator will come from the trio of offbeat politicians currently comprising the District 7 delegation. Rick Impallaria, J.B. Jennings and Pat McDonough have stuck together since they were elected to the newly configured district in 2002, but Harris’ impending departure from the senate could change all that. Continue reading District 7 Dominoes: Baltimore/Harford Delegates Line Up for a Probable Political Promotion